Knee-chair

ABSTRACT

A body supporting structure is shaped in a way so that the user may rest in a combination of sitting and kneeling positions.

United States Patent [1 [1 1 3,863,978

Gillings, Jr. Feb. 4, 1975 [54] KNEE-CHAIR 3,037,570 6/1962 Olson 280/325 X 3,541,313 11/1970 Buzzi 297/195 Inventor: Peter Rlchard Gllllngs Jr. BOX 1 R 2 7 1193 Claremom, NH. 03 743 uppert 9 H95 X [22] Flled: 1973 Primary ExaminerRobert B. Reeves [21] Appl. No.1 35 75 Assistant Examiner-Thomas E. Kocovsky [52] US. Cl 296/63, 280/325, 297/195 [51] Int. Cl B62j 1/00 57 ABSTRACT [58] Field 01 Search 296/63; 297/195, 423, 427,

297/439, 239; 280/325, 32-6; 180/5 R A body supporting structure is shaped in a way so that the user may rest in a combination of sitting and [56] References Clted kneeling positions.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,448,427 8/1948 Gordon 280/325 6 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENTED 3.863.978

sum 10F 3 PATENTED 41975 3. 863 ,978

sum 30F 3 KNEE-CHAIR The present invention relates to a body supporting structure which might be called a KNEE-CHAIR in which the occupant sits, kneels, sits and kneels. Thus, the invention conforms to the body as an outer and inner contoured shell capable of supporting the body in the positions of kneeling and sitting simultaneously. The invention is a total unit accommodating the occupants total weight in the above-mentioned positions.

At this invention conforms to the bodys contours in a sit-kneeling position its structure allows for the body to be supported from the back, seat, crotch, thighs, knees, lower legs and feet while the weight of the upper body pressing down is distributed on the knee-chair back, seat, knee pockets and lower legs.

In the sitting position the occupants legs are placed in front as in convention seating with support being primarily on the back and seat.

When utilizing the invention in the kneeling position, support is given by the cushioned knee pockets as well as the contoured shell which partially surrounds the upper leg, enabling the kneeling occupant to lean partially forward.

The invention having two spread legs which conform to the occupants inner thighs and having for their base the pockets for the knees and lower legs. The seat is contoured to cover the buttocks and rises to support the back.

It is a well known fact that sitting and kneeling have previously been two distinct operations. Such an arrangement holds various drawbacks. Sitting in a chair or seat of the conventional type and having the weight of the upper body press down on the intestines can cause organ malfunction. Sitting can be an occupational hazard. Kneeling exhibits similar discomforts, however, the intestines are not compressed as in conventional seating. Also, chairs built which are not stackable for easy storage are great space wasters, especially when not in use. The knee-chair being adaptable for vertical stacking and is of light weight and of less vertical area than seats of the conventional type.

Therefore, an object of the invention is to produce and utilize a combination sit-kneeling situation, thereby creating a new and useful structure.

By kneeling and sitting at the same time and/or separately many advantages occur. In the sit-kneeling position the intestines remain closer to their natural positions. Less exertion is placed on the lower trunk because the weight of the upper body is distributed down through the legs and rests not only at the seat but with knees and lower legs.

The knee-chair has enormous space saving advantages. It requires less vertical space than conventional seating. It is also adaptable to vertical stacking.

The knee-chair can be adapted for use in many areas e.g. transportational use, medical use, religious use, farm use, childs toy or rocking seater. Such an invention associated with further features to be described hereinafter make possible more efficient methods of sitting, kneeling or sit-kneeling which is certain areas are superior to conventional chairs, seats and kneelers.

It permits the body to occupy a smaller vertical area than conventional seating space. Because of the space saving proportions of this invention it can be of value in transportation, as in cockpit control seat and car seat and by curving the base of the knee-chair it can be utilized as a rocking knee-chair. The seat will also have enough structural give to allow for an up and down motion.

The knee-chair can be manufactured in one piece out of molded plastic, fiber glass, wood, paper and light weight metal, or assembled in parts. It can be custom made or manufactured to standard body sizes such as large, medium and small, male and female.

Other modifications and improvements will be apparent to those skilled in the art after reading the following specification in connection with the annexed drawings, in which FIG. 1 is a perspective view ofa preferred form of improved support for the human body constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the same;

FIG. 3 is a front elevation of the support;

FIG. 4 is a side elevation of the same as viewed from the righthand side of FIGS. 2 and 3; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the improved support adapted to serve as the operators seat for a motorized vehicle, such as a snowmobile.

In the drawings the improved support, as a whole, is identified by numeral 10, the support comprising four associated sections, each of which performs a different function and cooperating together to provide a unique and restful type of repose for the human body while in an upright position.

The first section, generally identified by numeral 11, comprises a generally saddle-shaped surface 12 upon which the buttocks rest with the thighs arranged astride the respective vertical sides thereof. The second section, identified generally by numeral 13, comprises a pair of rearwardly facing surfaces 14 (see FIGS. 2 and 4) which merge smoothly with the respective side surfaces of the first section to provide means to confine the knees of the user on their forward and bottom exposures. These knee pockets are preferably cushioned for comfort of the user, and to absorb shocks when the structure is' used as a vehicle operators seat.

A third section, indicated generally by numeral 15, comprises a pair of upwardly directed channel-shaped surfaces 16 which merge smoothly at their forward ends with the surfaces 14 and extend backwardly in generally parallel horizontal directions to provide support for the legs of the user.

There may also be provided a fourth section, identified generally by numeral 17, having a surface 18 which is generally concave and faces forwardly to provide confinement and rear support for the lumbar region of the torso. This surface merges at the bottom with the saddle-shaped surface 12 and extends rearwardly from there in a generally vertical direction.

An added feature of the invention lies in the fact that, as compared to conventional seating devices having a back support, the present invention occupies relatively less space in a vertical direction and, because the saddle-shaped portion extends downwardly and more or less outwardly, as seen in FIG. 1, with the back surface 18 projecting upwardly and backwardly, it is possible to stack several of these supports one on top of the other to conserve space.

The bottoms of the leg portions 15 may also be formed with longitudinally extending downwardly curved surfaces to enable the user to rock backwards and forwards as through occupying a rocking chair.

in FIG. 5 there is shown one example ofthe use of the invention for purposes other than mere relaxation of the body. in this case the body supporting structure is utilized as an operators seat for a self-propelled vehicle, such as a snowmobile, although it should be understood that this is not to be considered as excluding other possible uses.

The snowmobile, which is of conventional construction, may include a pair of horizontal side frame members 19 to which the lower section of the structure 10 is attached. The frame members, in turn, carry a pair of steerable runners 20 at the front, and an endless track type propulsion means 21 at the rear which is conventionally driven by an engine (not shown) contained within the forward compartment 22. The compartment also carries a windshield 23, steering control 24 for the runners, and throttle control means 25 for the engine.

I claim:

1. A structure for supporting the human body with the trunk and torso generally upright comprising a first section having a saddle-shaped surface upon which the buttocks may rest with the thighs downwardly straddling the saddleshaped surface and including downwardly and forwardly extending concave surfaces which merge smoothly with a second section, said second section including rearwardly facing upright concave surfaces to restrain the respective knees against forward motion only, and a third section merging smoothly with said second section having means to support the respective legs from below in a substantially horizontal position.

2. The invention defined in claim 1, wherein said third section is provided with a pair of horizontal channelled surfaces merging with said rearwardly concave surfaces.

3. The invention defined in claim 1, wherein the inner portions of said structure below said first section diverge downwardly and outwardly to permit said structure to be stacked in nesting relationship upon another similar structure.

4. The invention defined in claim 1, wherein said structure is secured to the frame of a self-propelled vehicle in a position to enable the user of said structure to operate a control means of said vehicle.

5. The invention defined in claim 1, wherein said structure also includes a fourth section to restrain the trunk and torso against rearward movement.

6. The invention defined in claim 5, wherein said fourth section is provided with a forwardly directed concave surface merging with said saddle-shaped surface and conforming generally to the lumbar region of ahuman body. 

1. A structure for supporting the human body with the trunk and torso generally upright comprising a first section having a saddle-shaped surface upon which the buttocks may rest with the thighs downwardly straddling the saddle-shaped surface and including downwardly and forwardly extending concave surfaces which merge smoothly with a second section, said second section including rearwardly facing upright concave surfaces to restrain the respective knees against forward motion only, and a third section merging smoothly with said second section having means to support the respective legs from below in a substantially horizontal position.
 2. The invention defined in claim 1, wherein said third section is provided with a pair of horizontal channelled surfaces merging with said rearwardly concave surfaces.
 3. The invention defined in claim 1, wherein the inner portions of said structure below said first section diverge downwardly and outwardly to permit said structure to be stacked in nesting relationship upon another similar structure.
 4. The invention defined in claim 1, wherein said structure is secured to the frame of a self-propelled vehicle in a position to enable the user of said structure to operate a control means of said vehicle.
 5. The invention defined in claim 1, wherein said structure also includes a fourth section to restrain the trunk and torso against rearward movement.
 6. The invention defined in claim 5, wherein said fourth section is provided with a forwardly directed concave surface merging with said saddle-shaped surface and conforming generally to the lumbar region of a human body. 